Shortly before Christmas, off the back of a poor run but following qualification for the last 16 of the CL, this column wondered if the season could turn out to be something special (see Special Ones Too). And it certainly has, but not in a good way. A slew of defeats, players who don’t seem to be bothered about putting in a shift but are only too happy to collect their 000s of Ks every week, and continued reports in the media of problems in the dressing room culminated in yesterday’s abject performance at West Bromwich Albion, resulting in the dismissal today of Andreas Villas Boas, less than 9 months after his appointment as Chelsea manager.

As someone who has never received football coaching in their life, it is difficult for me to comment on the mechanics of a performance. All I see is players passing the ball. Whilst I’m au fait with systems and styles, like a typical woman, I prefer incidents to statistics. In spite of being there, I couldn’t tell you who scored our goals in the 3-2 defeat at Man Utd in September, but I remember Ian Marshall of Leicester pulling a hammy whilst trying to nutmeg Albert Ferrer in front of the still unroofed West Stand and getting celery chucked at him in about 1999. So I’m not really the one to say whether AVB didn’t know what he was doing on the tactics front. All I know that he failed to pull on a shirt in any of our games recently. Whilst the buck stops with the manager, our players have to look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves how much they have contributed to letting the fans down.

It is not the first time player power has hastened the demise of a manager at Chelsea. As long ago as 2000, Gianluca Vialli lost the dressing room, and at the time when a revised Bosman ruling was being threatened resulting in contracts no longer being worth the paper they were written on, Ken Bates and Colin Hutchinson were presented with a “him or us” ultimatum by a number of players (this was confirmed to me by the respected Italian journalist Giancarlo Galivotti several years ago). Whilst Franck Leboeuf attracted most of the opprobrium directed at the players on this occasion, he was certainly not the only one involved and even tried to offload the blame on Gianfranco Zola – in a radio interview on the day of his last game at Chelsea, he commented “Gianfranco has much more power at Chelsea than me”. Indeed, Vialli’s own comments on Twitter today hint at a frosty relationship with the club’s new caretaker manager, Roberto di Matteo.

Stories about player unrest have abounded in the press recently, usually attributed to a “senior player”. I hope whoever he is, he will now expend his energies for the rest of the season in galvanising his team-mates to get their fingers out. The decision to appoint di Matteo as caretaker manager until the end of the season is an indication that Chelsea have a clear target in mind but need to wait until the end of the season. Were that not the case, either Benitez or Capello, both free agents, would have been appointed today. Given Jose Mourinho’s very public visit to London last week, combined with news of a further alleged visit on Monday, and information provided by a source to this column that Mourinho and Abramovich had dinner at a top London hotel last week, last week’s article “Return of the Special One” may yet prove to have been barking up the right tree.

As usual, the ones suffering most at this time are the fans. I know people who set off for Albion at 6am and reckoned they weren’t going to get home till midnight. Approximately 1600 hardy souls travelled to Napoli two weeks ago. As I write, Chelsea lie fifth in the premiership and no doubt there are those amongst the inter-continental support (and possibly one or two in the UK) who have decided that the club are so last decade, and transferred their support elsewhere. These are the very people that our CEO is keen on cultivating at the expense of those who invest their time and emotion, not to mention maxing out their credit cards, on supporting CFC in the flesh and not through the medium of their television.

I think the last time I felt so low about a manager was, surprisingly, the day Ruudi was sacked (when Jose left I was in an emotional maelstrom, and when Luca was sacked I was so ill that if Ken Bates had turned up to announce the news in person I probably wouldn’t have turned a hair). However, we Chels are a resillient lot. Whilst I’d be surprised if we sell out Birmingham away, the faithful will be out in force and giving 100% of their passion to the cause. Let’s hope the players can do the same.

The first home match of the season, against opponents we always score against and beat, looked to be the perfect antidote after the stalemate against Stoke.

Chelsea lined up with Hilario replacing the injured Cech in goal, with Bosingwa continuing at right back, Alex and Terry in the middle with Cole on the left.

Ramires, Lampard and Mikel continued in the middle with Torres up front, Anelka to the right and Kalou on the left hand side, with Malouda dropping to the bench.

It wasn’t to be any antidote though, with West Brom starting very deep in order to frustrate us early on, and breaking quickly and looking to get Shane Long in behind Alex and Terry.

It took less than five minutes to unravel all of Villas-Boas plans for the day as a ball through the middle was dealt with poorly by Alex, who allowed West Brom to break through and Long took full advantage, holding off the Brazilian and slotting low past Hilario.

Stamford Bridge was shocked and so it seemed were the team, as heads dropped and play went awry. Most of the attacking play we made was slow and lethargic, whilst in contrast West Brom were able to threaten our box in 2-3 quick forward passes.

West Brom wanted it more, were winning the second balls and pressing our players into mistakes, with Kalou and Bosingwa guilty of sloppy passes more than most. Kalou eventually was hauled off in the 34th minute and replaced by Malouda.

Chelsea changed to a diamond formation and it almost paid immediate dividends however resolute West Brom defending again kept us out until the half drew to a close.

The second half started with no change in personnel, and for the first few minutes no real change in play with Chelsea still looking somewhat nervous.

Then Chelsea started to play a bit, and a couple of nice passages of play resulted in chances on goal, and eventually Anelka scored. Chelsea played into the box, Lampard went down on what seemed to be a penalty but the ref played on, the ball came to Anelka who slotted low past Foster, by way of a deflection.

The goal seemed to get the monkey off the players back and brought some life to Stamford Bridge, Villas-Boas was clearly pleased on the touchline, celebrating the goal as much as any supporter there.

West Brom were not finished though, and were still a danger on the break as Chelsea pressed forwards looking for a winner.

Drogba came on for Torres, and Ivanovic on for Alex leaving us no more subs for the 25 minutes. Villas-Boas had set out his team to win the game and win it they did, albeit leaving it very late.

In the 82nd minute Jose Bosingwa raced down the right touchline, ghosting between two defenders before putting in his best cross of the afternoon across the face of goal, finding Malouda at the far post who slotted home.

Stamford Bridge exploded, as much out of relief as celebration, and ten or so minutes later the match was over and the players and supporters rested that little easier.

It wasn’t a vintage performance, for long spells it was just like watching the team at the end of last season. Slow on the attack, devoid of ideas or spark, desperately lacking pace. Yet we won, and that is the most important thing right now.

Things will change, new players are already here and if you follow us on Twitter, you’ll know there’s rumours about about two more this week. On this performance, we’ll need them.

Villas-Boas explained why he took Kalou off so early post match, stating; “The change was us wanting to surprise the opponent in some way but it didn’t happen straight away, because the players were still suffering from anxiety.”

“The half-time talk was for the players to release themselves from the anxiety they were suffering because the public was anxious and the players were anxious, and we still had 45 minutes to play and anything can happen, and it did happen.”

The manager added; “Today it was a very emotional game, and the emotional part of the game was the main difference from the first half to the second half. In the first half we suffered a little bit with anxiety because we conceded the first goal too early, and we couldn’t express ourselves.”

“We have done good quality passing when we trained but we just couldn’t do it and this was much more due to a mental block. Then when you find the back of the net for the 1-1, the emotional impact on the opponent is tremendous and we felt very confident to search for the second goal, and we found it.”

Chelsea (4-3-3): Hilario, Bosingwa, Alex (Ivanovic 65), Terry (c), Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Anelka, Torres (Drogba 59), Kalou (Malouda 34).

Goals: Anelka 52, Malouda 82
Booked: Lampard 33, Terry 89
Attendance: 41,091

An occasional series of open discussions with opposition fans. They can say what they like about Chelsea and I promise not to be rude back to them.

Number 1:  Blagging With A Baggie.

When did you start supporting West Brom?

I went with my friend Tom and his Dad, soon before the advent of printing. No, it was 1966, before we won the World Cup. Lots of legs and noise and the smell of pies. That’s all I remember.

And why?

The legs and noise and smell of pies. To be honest I don’t really know why, apart from it was West Brom or the cricket. I like cricket now, but not then.

After some time I loved watching Jeff Astle, Tony Brown, Tony Kaye, Bob Hope and the others, but I was into West Brom by then. I think. I dunno, I was only little.

Do you like the West Brom strip?

Our kit hasn’t changed much at all. Our badge has changed a bit though, and I like the one we have now. If I had to choose a strip, apart from today’s strip, I’d go for the West Brom Strollers kit.

Who are the Strollers?

They gave birth to West Bromwich Albion as we know and love them.

What memory of the Baggies will you still remember when your memory has finally faded and you are old and senile?

Jeff Astle’s winner in the 68 Cup Final.  Laurie Cunningham. We got him from Leyton orient I think, great winger. And Cyrille Regis, the man mountain.

If you had to pick your favourite player of all time, who would it be?

Tony Brown. Bomber was one of my heroes – probably my first. If anyone scored in those days it seemed to be him. Him or Astle anyway. He was fundamental to us winning a succession of cups between 1967 and 70.

We got the FA Cup in 68 and from 1966-70 the League Cup was ours, we were in the final so often. And, of course he set up Jeff Astle’s goal which beat Leeds 2-1, that famous offside goal!

Should it have stood?

Yes of course it should have. For two reasons: a) the offside player wasn’t interfering with play (though that is arguable) and b) It got us two points (for a win). Oh yes, and Leeds lost out on the title by one solitary point that season (chuckles).

Back to the present day. What did you think of Roberto Di Matteo when he was your manager.

Excellent. We came out of the Championship with some stylish football, and though we were struggling in the Premier League you could see that we were making improvements. Maybe that improvement was too slow. But I don’t think he’d lost the dressing room or anything like that. My personal view is that the club panicked because results weren’t really going our way. They got jittery

I think he’s obviously got a tactical brain, I was very disappointed to see him go. But Roy came in and fair play he’s done a great job so far. I think Di Matteo will do well in his career. It must be a dream come true for him to go back to Chelsea.

How do you view your season going this time around?

So-so. We have the players to get 35-40 points this season. Roy’s tactical nous will get us another 10. So I think half way will be a good finish. Cant see us competing for a European place, but then no one saw that happening with Fulham did they when Roy Hodgson was in charge? Could happen. Not this season though.

What happened against Man U.

We did enough to get a draw, but against the top teams you cant just play for half an hour in the first half and twenty minutes in the second. That’s what we did. Maybe we gave them too much respect. Class side though, United.

So how are you going to fare at Stamford Bridge on Saturday?

I’m not going, more’s the pity. But I don’t like tea-time kick offs.

Your favourite Chelsea West Brom game?

Cant remember any. We haven’t done too well against your lot in the Premiership. I do remember back in the 70’s we beat you 3-0 once, late 70’s I think off the top of my head. But our paths haven’t crossed that much have they?

So, come Saturday, how do you think West Brom will do?

I hope its fine. The weather.

Given the fact we didn’t score against Stoke, are you hopeful of at least a point?

The trouble with an evening kick off is you never get time for shopping. Not that I’d do much shopping in London anyway, its too expensive.

So, the result on Saturday will be?

Not a bad journey to London by bus though.

Are you avoiding the question?

Yes. Next.

Okay. What is your prediction for Chelsea this season?

Before I saw the improvement in Torres and Kalou on Sunday, and even Mikel getting a great shot on target – just under the bar that was, great – I would have said third behind United and City. But if your new manager can get that sort of improvement in what? six weeks? two months, then maybe first or second. It’ll be tight though.

So what about Chelsea v West Brom on Saturday?

You’re not letting this one go are you? Yes, a big game for Chelsea. We must play without fear.

Okay, what do you think of our new manager, Andre Villas-Boas?

Very impressed. Until recently I thought he’d only managed Porto, but he’s got a fair few years experience hasn’t he. I like his focus on the team and his comments about players having to be social role models. We need more of that in football, not enough clubs take that side of it seriously. Though maybe some Chelsea players needed a public telling?

Did they?

Maybe. The club have had a disproportionate amount of flak, given that what some of their players did was more silly than malicious. Terry seems to have got his act together over the last year or so. Not before time, too, but fair play to the lad he appears to have buckled down and he’s gained a lot of respect for turning it round I think.

Cole too, the best left back in the country in my opinion and if I’m being fair – which I’m trying to be – I think he’s just been a media target and suffered as a result. I think they both have matured. And as England players, that’s great.

Talking of England, club v country?

Country has to come first. With the exception of these stupid start of season international friendlies. Badly timed in my opinion.

If there was one player from Chelsea you could have for free….

Drogba. No competition really, because while there are other good players – sorry, world class players – for this season and the next Drogba in our side would move us up from mid-table to fifth or sixth, and that’s where you want to be really. I honestly believe he would be like Tony Brown, a catalyst to greater things. You couldn’t have a word with your manager could you?

No. So, finally, a score prediction?

Oh come on, must you rub it in? Last season we lost 6-0 and I don’t think your boys got into top gear. Maybe if Bednar’s goal had stood [it was 1-0 Chelsea when his attempt was correctly ruled out for offside] things might have been different.

Anything better than that will be an improvement. We’ll keep you out for most of the game I think, but I cant see us coming back with anything really.

The return of The Premiership this weekend saw Chelsea pick up where’d they’d left off last season, scoring for fun at Stamford Bridge.

A hat-trick from Didier Drogba, two goals from Florent Malouda and one from Frank Lampard sealed Chelsea’s biggest opening day win, to send them top of the league, and put Drogba ahead of Jimmy Greaves in our all time top scorers list.

With Ancelotti admitting our players weren’t 100% fit, and following a poor pre-season campaign, this match was in many minds, anything but a formality.

That changed after five minutes though after Malouda got onto the scoresheet after a Drogba free kick was saved, Mikel worked the ball to Malouda to slot home from a few yards.

Chelsea were looking good, especially down the left hand side with Malouda, Drogba and Cole all showing no signs of rustiness, and when Drogba scored in the final minutes of the half the game was all but over as a contest.

Half time came and went, and it wasn’t long before Chelsea scored again, with Drogba netted his second of the afternoon prodding an easy chance past Carson after a Terry header had been saved on the line to make it 3-0.

With the match now beyond doubt Chelsea played with a swagger and the inevitable Frank Lampard goal came not long after, with Cole again involved in the build-up, linking well with Anelka to roll the ball to Lampard who slotted home with ease to make it 4-0.

Drogba completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute with a shot from 25 yards out that took a wicked deflection and straight past the hapless Carson who could only watch it sail past him making the score line 5-0. Lampard and Drogba were withdrawn soon after and replaced by Benayoun and Kalou.

It wasn’t until the final moments that Chelsea registered their sixth and final goal, after more good work by Anelka and Malouda again combined well, with Anelka laying on a perfectly weighted ball for Malouda to slot past Carson to make it 6-0, and send us top of the league.

Ancelotti heaped praise on hat-trick hero Didier Drogba. “He did a fantastic job, not just because he scored but he worked for the team very hard, as did Anelka and Malouda. They all worked very hard defensively. That is the mentality of our strikers, they are working for the team and it was a good start, we wanted to win because we had a difficult pre-season.”

He added; “We played a good game, we showed good football, scored a lot of goals and there are a lot of good things to come from this game. We started the first half well, kept a high tempo on the pitch, but it wasn’t our game until the second goal. Then it was easier for us because there was more space up front and we had a lot of possibility to score.”

Commenting on the fitness levels of the players, the manager remarked; “John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard also showed good condition today. Also Cech, Alex, Drogba, Essien, all had problems during pre-season but they are all very close to their best condition now.”

“Maybe they are still not in the best condition but they have time now to arrive in the best condition.”

Ok so it was only West Brom, but if this is Chelsea not yet firing on all cylinders, then I can’t wait until we are.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira (Ivanovic 59), Alex, Terry (c), Cole; Essien, Mikel, Lampard (Benayoun 63); Anelka, Drogba (Kalou 69), Malouda.
Scorers Malouda 5, 89, Drogba 45, 55, 67, Lampard 61.

Finally it’s here, after a disappointing World Cup and a poor pre-season, we are now back to the main course of the countries top domestic competition.

Chelsea kick off the defence of their title with a late afternoon kick off at Stamford Bridge, hosting former crowd favourite Roberto Di Matteo’s West Brom, in what we’d normally assume to be a formality.

However with our form erratic thus far, and Carlo admitting our players are not yet 100%, nothing can be taken for granted and we must take this game very seriously if we’re to come away with anything.

Carlo spoke yesterday stating; “‘We know that not all the players are 100 percent but we are ready to defend the title, we have fantastic motivation to try to win again and I said last year that we had the possibility to open a cycle and we want to.”

Sadly, key player Frank Lampard is a doubt for the match due to an ankle injury, however Petr Cech and Alex have both been passed fit to return to the side which could see Ivanovic moved to right back in order for the Brazilian to play centrally with JT.

With new signing Ramires unavailable for the match, the line up is largely expected to be that which played against Manchester United in the community shield last weekend, but with Drogba starting up front.

With Chelsea now the team to beat, this season my prove tougher than the last, and Ancelotti has no doubts that we need to get off to a good start; “The start of the season every game is not easy because you don’t know very well the condition of the opponent because they have not played a lot of games, and also we have to pay attention, because maybe when you start the season you are excited and a little bit nervous. It is important to control our emotion” said Ancelotti.

He added; “Last year we had a lot of difficulties and won in the last minute. It is important to start well, one of the reasons last year for our victory was our good start, we won our first games, and for this reason we won the title – we want to do the same this year.”

Let’s hope that today’s match is the first step in doing just that.

Have you found our NEW Chelsea Supporters Social Network? http://thechels.me